Parents had mixed reactions after a sign was spotted at a local playground asking children to not eat.
Placed in a playground area in Rockwall County in Dallas, Texas, the sign politely asked parents to refrain from having their children consume food outside of the designated areas.
The sign included three tips to keep children safe while in a playground area, encouraging to wash hands after eating in the picnic section.
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"Did you know one in 13 children has a food allergy? You can keep our children safer with these simple steps," the sign reads before listing three simple rules to avoid life-threatening allergic reactions.
The sign urged parents and children to eat only in 'designated picnic areas', asking them to not consume food 'in the playground area' and reminding them to 'please wash hands or use a wet wipe after eating'.
The message also pointed out that hand sanitisers 'do not remove food allergies'.
The aim of the sign was to ensure everyone could have a good time in the playground, helping parents of children with severe food allergies protect their kids. In some cases, even just a sticky fingerprint left behind by someone who's just consumed a food containing an allergen may be enough to bring about a physical reaction.
Spotted by Jessica Carpenter - a 'food allergy mom' of three - the sign sparked a debate when she asked fellow parents to share their thoughts.
"What do you think of this sign? Enough? Too much? Fan? Not a fan? Let's talk about it," Carpenter wrote on instagram.
Her clip received numerous replies from parents, with some thinking the sign was a brilliant idea to make the space safer for everyone and others believing it's the parents' responsibility to protect their children with allergies in public spaces.
"As a food allergy mom, I honestly don't worry about contaminants at the park, but I know it's a huge worry for many! It can be really scary knowing your child is going to potentially touch an allergen while trying to play," Carpenter said.
"What I love about it is that it encourages hand washing! Bc all kids could use more of that."
Her comment section was flooded with responses from people with opposite opinions, with one person writing: "I wouldn't follow any of those 'suggestions', and I wouldn't bring my child who had allergies this sensitive or debilitating to a public space such as a public playground.
"I wouldn't expect other parents in a public space to limit their children based off my kids disability. i as a parent am responsible for the protection and health of my kid. my kid is MY responsibility."
Meanwhile, someone else noted: "I think it’s highly educational and a great idea! Sadly i just don’t think enough people read signs or even care if it’s not for their own child."
"i love this!!" another user wrote. "i have a severe dairy allergy and wasn’t able to touch my face as a kid at the playground because i would break out into hives."
Topics: Parenting, Advice, Food and Drink, Health
Stefania Sarrubba